Research-Based Theatre: The Making of I’m Still Here!

Abstract

This column describes the process undertaken by a team of researchers, artists, and actors to create a research-based drama about living with dementia. Researchers had several studies, guided by the human becoming theory, about what life was like when living with dementia, and an additional study in progress about the lived experience of loss for daughters whose mothers were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers partnered with an experienced artistic director and playwright in order to craft a script and performance that could help others understand and see life with dementia in a new light. The crafting of the script was also informed by the experiences and insights of actors, healthcare professionals, and persons living with dementia. The play premiered before a group of 100 persons and families living with dementia and has since been performed approximately 40 times to hundreds of professionals and families. The evaluation of the play, at six of the performances, is presented in this column.

Means of Knowledge Dissemination: Are the <i>Café Scientifique</i> and the Artistic Performance Equally Effective?

“…Initially used in research for representation and dissemination of findings, arts-based methods are now employed in all stages of inquiry (Fraser & Sayah, 2011): as a stimulus for data generation, a method for eliciting meanings and values, an intervention tool or a form of dissemination (Bergum & Godkin, 2008). A wide range of artistic forms are utilized by Canadian arts-based researchers: dance (Boydell et al, 2011); poetry (Groft & Robinson-Vollman, 2007;Lapum, 2005); theatrical performances (Cox et al, 2009a;Colantino et al, 2008;McIntyre & Cole, 2008;Clarke & Nisker, 2007;Doucet et al, 2007;Kontos & Naglie, 2007;Eakin & Endicott, 2006;Mitchell et al, 2006;Nisker et al, 2006;Sinding et al, 2006;Gray et al, 2000;; visuals (Poudrier & MacLean, 2009, Castleden & Garvin, 2008Oliffe & Botorff, 2007;Moffitt & Robinson-Vollman, 2004); and a combination of various forms of art (Cox et al, 2009b;.…”

The Cultural Value of Older People’s Experiences of Theater-making: A Review

“…people with dementia) in more positive ways (Mitchell et al, 2006;Kontos & Naglie, 2007); can provoke and facilitate memory and reminiscence processes (Boggs & Leptak, 1991); can be a useful way of learning about and/or introducing sensitive topics (e.g. finances or widowhood) (Ritch & Brennan, 2010;Feldman et al, 2011); and can be an effective educational tool with practitioners (Kontos & Naglie, 2007).…”

An Innovative, Arts-Based Approach to Interprofessional Education

“…In their systematic review of the literature, Fraser and al Sayah (2011) identified that the integration of arts within health research (both as a form of knowledge production and knowledge translation) emerged with increased qualitative inquiry within the health sciences, particularly the use of theatre as a frequent arts-based dissemination strategy. As an engaging pedagogical tool (Price et al, 2007), the use of arts and theatre is suggested to be more effective than conventional teaching methods for enhancing practitioner skills for complex physical Mitchell, Jonas-Simpson, & Ivonoffski, 2006) and social health-related conditions (Eakin & Endicott, 2006;Rossiter et al, 2008). Theatrical productions based on qualitative research findings are grounded in real life scenarios, encompassing verbatim quotes and embodying recurrent themes that represent a personified and vital piece that health care professionals can empathize with (Gray, Fitch, Labrecque, & Greenberg, 2003).…”

“…Examples include "Ed's Story" and the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Wit, " which also won the 2002 National Innovations in Medical Education Award (Deloney & Graham, 2003;Lorenz, Steckart, & Rosenfeld, 2004). Theatre has also been used to educate health professionals about such conditions including traumatic brain injury , dementia (Kontos & Naglie, 2007;Mitchell et al, 2006), cancers (Gray et al, 2003;Gray et al, 2000) and AIDS (Shapiro & Hunt, 2003).…”

“…Theatre as a tool for knowledge translation has received tremendous reviews from students, health care professionals, family members, patients and audiences alike Gray et al, 2000;Mitchell et al, 2006;Rosenbaum et al, 2005). This is because dramatic productions stimulate emotive, tangible and intellectual reactions that allow the spectator to look beyond the literal meaning and move towards a greater understanding of the human condition Eakin & Endicott, 2006;Rossiter et al, 2008).…”